Lux Nova Partners
3 Experts
3 Contributions by Lux Nova Partners Experts
PRACTICE NOTES
For comprehensive analysis of the regulation, consenting and incentivisation of the net zero energy transition under the laws of England and Wales, see also: Collinson and Hockman on Energy Law: Regulating, Consenting and Incentivising the Energy Transition. That textbook offers further detailed treatment of matters addressed in this Practice Note. This Practice Note examines the contractual architecture for district heating network projects in England and Wales. The topics addressed in this overview include the following:
at an appropriately high level, what district heating networks are
which core project agreements apply to such district heating network schemes
the recurring points that commonly arise when drafting and negotiating those project contracts, and
available guidance on both procuring and operating district heating network projects
In Scotland, the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, together with later secondary legislation, created a distinct
Energy
PRACTICE NOTES
What are heat networks?
Heat networks are systems that deliver heating to multiple users within a single building (communal heating) or across several buildings (district heating), drawing on shared heat source(s) and a shared distribution network of pipes and plant. Heat is usually supplied as hot water—steam is uncommon—and there is a growing move towards circulating lower temperature, ‘ambient’ heat...
Where a DHN connects multiple properties, heat exchangers are typically employed to provide hydraulic separation between the central network and the individual building systems. This permits different pressures and circulation rates, and makes it easier to manage temperatures (and ownership) within local buildings...
For further detail on the engineering of district heating networks, see Practice Note: District heating/heat networks—technology. This Practice Note summarises the obligations under the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014, SI 2014/3120 (as amended), which form a specific element of the legal
Energy
PRACTICE NOTES
This Practice Note examines the legal and regulatory regime applicable to district heating networks in England and Wales.
The topics covered are:
a high-level introduction to what district heating networks are
the statutory foundations supporting the DHN regulatory framework
the DHN regulatory scheme established by Part 8 of the Energy Act 2023 (EnA 2023), together with secondary legislation and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets’ (Ofgem’s) DHN authorisation conditions
how heat network zones are defined and used within DHN regulation
the principal UK government subsidy programmes that facilitate DHN deployment
This Practice Note does not examine regulation of the centralised generation system providing hot water to a DHN scheme, which depends on the generation technology (for example, the electricity licensing regime where the source is a combined heat and power plant) (see Practice Note: Great Britain
Energy
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